Storylines: Chesterfield

mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Tuesday’s clash with Chesterfield...

TAKE THE NEXT STEP
MK Dons have bucked the trend in their last two outings, ending a run of defeats with back-to-back draws.

After turning those losses into draws, it’s now time for the men from MK1 to turn those draws into wins – something Ben Reeves agrees with.

“There’s been a gradual build-up to these last couple of games. That’s two performances we can build on – the next step for us is to win these games and I’m sure we can do that in the near future.”

SHAKE OFF THE SPIREITES HOODOO
There weren’t many teams that could stop the Dons during their 2014/15 season, but Chesterfield proved to be a bogey side for that promotion-winning side.

Although the men from MK1 came out on top in the August clash at Proact Stadium, they went on to lose three times to the Derbyshire outfit during the remainder of the season – two of which came in the Emirates FA Cup after the teams were forced to replay their tie, which finished 1-0 to Chesterfield, due to an ineligible player – the Spireites went on to win the re-match by the same score.

They then came-from-behind to beat the Dons in February, a defeat which led to a run of three-straight losses for Karl Robinson’s team, who would, of course, eventually regain their form and secure a place in the Sky Bet Championship on the final day.

Those three wins make up 75% of Chesterfield’s total wins over the Dons, with their only other success coming back in November 2007.

The men from MK1 will be hoping they can return to their good form over the Spireites this week.

BARKER REUNITES WITH OLD BOSS
Tuesday’s game will see caretaker boss Richie Barker come up against the manager he worked under while a player at Hartlepool United – former Dons boss Danny Wilson.

Wilson signed Barker in January 2007 and the striker went on to score 27 goals in 73 appearances while also helping the Pools earn automatic promotion to League One.

The pair were also teammates during the early 1990's when both were at Sheffield Wednesday - Wilson as a seasoned pro and Barker as a trainee coming through the ranks.

"I learnt a lot from him," Barker told MK Dons PlayerHD. "I was a senior player at the time and he knew where I wanted to go in terms of my coaching.

"He was good to me then and he's been good to me ever since. He's a proper football person, having been in the game for years but he's always got time for people."